Timbah – Glebe

You see, as a local I was always protected by the lack of decent drinking holes in my suburb. Sure, we have the Different Drummer and the AB Hotel has great bistro food, but for the most part it was easy for me to fight temptation in a suburb with limited options. If I lived in Surry Hills, on the other hand, I’d never get any work done.

Now, however, there’s a small bar called Timbah that opened on Forsyth Street (in what I believe used to be someone’s garage) and is run by the folks behind the bottleshop on the corner (Glebe Liquor). In true small-bar style it’s unobtrusive to say the least – you could walk past it without realising it’s there – but the inside is stylishly done.

As the name suggests, there’s a lot of wood here, from the counter to some wood panelling on the walls, and strands of taut rope are used as area partitions. The music is subdued – upbeat folk gypsy music plays while I’m here – and the crowd is mixed but seems to be largely local.
Drinks wise this is more of a wine bar than anything else. Rather than having a menu of wines by the glass, they instead have a range of bottles that they open and then alternate night by night, so that locals can always try something new and to keep the bottles fresh. Since it’s a stinking hot night the bartender suggests I try a chilled rosé and, even though it’s not my usual tipple of choice (am I the only who thinks there’s something suggestive about that word?), it does hit the spot.

I’m perched at the counter where there are a few stools but most of the seating is at tables and almost everyone else here is eating. The meals are written on a chalkboard and are mostly tapas-sized and seasonal – lightly-fried school prawns with aioli, kingfish carpaccio, cured yellowfin tuna – although there’s also a soft braised lamb dish for a main.

I come back the following week with a friend, where we order the duck and orange sausages with braised radicchio, the school prawns and the kingfish carpaccio with grapefruit, fennel and mint. The sausages are the highlight for me – short, plump and succulent with a rich hint of orange in them – but all the meals turn out well. The portions are tapas-sized, so you do need several to share.

The only other thing to note for now is that, being in a residential area, this isn’t a late night venue – apparently they’ll probably close at around 9pm on weeknights, although may stay later on weekends.

Timbah, around the corner from 375 Glebe Point Road, Glebe with the entrance on Forsyth Street.

Fantastic!- good wine whatever the variety by people who know what they’re talking about and who really are interested in what you think.
Please leave this bar alone so we insiders can revel in something which isnt a $4m refit by a brewery to sell mega units to an anonymous crowd.

I love our new wine bar.
The atmosphere is cool.
The wine is varied and although three are some expensive bottles, there are also some very reasonable offerings.
The food is fantastic with lots of choice and great prices.
The staff are very friendly and helpful.
I’ll be back, often.
But as Mark said, if you’re not a local, leave it for us to enjoy!!
(Just kidding).

I went here on Saturday night and I think it could be better. They should get rid of the fluroescent lighting and they should play music (there was none when I was there). And they should have food after 9pm.

Its been a long time coming and when the arrival of Timbah opened,it was like a breath of fresh air. Finally, a laid back spot to enjoy some great wines without the noise of a pub or backpacker bistro.
Well done Timbah! I look forward to many lovely glasses of your finest!

Finally a wine bar where we can have decent wine by the glass!
Great wine, great food and attentive service. Went there on Saturday night and although the place was busy we didn’t have to shout to each other across the table.

It is walking distance from our place so we will be coming back again – soon.

After having read these reviews i was expecting a great bar experience. Unfortunately i was let down by the customer service and lack of information about the wines. In fact i was given completely incorrect information about the wine!!! Disappointing.

Timbah is just what Glebe needs (and I’m pretty excited as it’s just around the corner)! I’m in love with the place. It’s a small bar that certainly knows what it’s aiming for, and that has resulted in a warm, relaxed experience that kind of feels like I’ve gone to a friend’s place, where they’ll offer me the best bottle of wine they’ve got open at the moment, and where I can indulge in a great selection of yummy food. I’m in love!

i wandered down to said place with my better half and had a absolutely great time. the Timbah Pockets were to die for and so many choices of wine, ummmm. We really felt settled in a cosy corner,and were sad to leave. A truly enjoyable experience.